Posts Tagged ‘Home Defense & Security’

Not long ago, the conversation turned to shotguns at the gun shop. While even the folks that are not the ones we call “gunny” know the merits of a shotgun for home defense, there are many opinions on the proper load and the best shotgun. The shotgun is primarily a projectile launcher and it is best to use what you are comfortable and familiar with.

Some years ago, a company came out with a line of firearms sights based on the old English Express sights. These sights are not intended for target-grade accuracy, but to allow the shooters to quickly get on target and get a hit. Designed to give professional hunters a fighting chance against a dangerous charging animal, this sight translated well to personal defense.

There are many firearm choices for home defense. The choice hinges on recoil tolerance, weight, bulk, expense, locale, and the shooters ability. You may choose a rifle, shotgun, or handgun, but the shotgun offers the greatest wound potential and the greatest versatility.

There are three firearms used for personal defense—the pistol, rifle, and shotgun. The shotgun is sometimes shied away from due to its recoil. The proper technique, leaning into the shotgun and controlling recoil, goes a long way, and so does extensive practice with light recoiling birdshot loads.

When it comes to personal safety, it is always good policy to buy the best you can afford. After all, if you were preparing to jump out of a plane, would you be comforted to know you were wearing the cheapest parachute on the market? Fortunately, parachutes are not shotguns. In fact, you do not have to break the bank or your budget to get a home defense shotgun worthy of relying on to protect you and your castle. Here are five top shotgun choices that will not break the bank.

I have noticed that discussions on combat sights, combat shooting, and handguns are often hi-jacked by those with an embarrassing lack of experience. All they know is what they have read and much of that isn’t accurate. A shooter should study, true, but they should also gain practical experience and meet the instructor half way with this experience.

When it comes to personal defense, many of the students that go through my class have their head on straight. They wish to avoid using the firearm at almost any cost. The bottom line is that they will use the firearm only to save their life or that of a loved one.

Every year, somewhere between 1.2 million and 3+ million American citizens use a firearm in self-defense, according to recently compiled home invasion statistics and crime reports. These numbers offer proof for the need to take home defense planning seriously.

I think, in practical terms, I have learned more concerning the world around me, and how to work through an emergency, than most. My father taught we how to manage my finances, maintain vehicles, and be a man. My grandfather had a genuine love for animals and taught me to care for them and also taught me how to hunt successfully. My grandmother taught me to prepare food. Today, many are concerned with being prepared. We call them preppers. I think they are simply self-reliant folks who do not wish to stand on the corner and beg for help with the sheep when things go wrong. Firearms are a critical part of the plan too.

Many of us use a match grade pistol—the IDPA gun or the IPSC gun—for home defense. The reasons are simple. The pistol is accurate, easy to use well, and one that we are likely most familiar with. The pistol may have fired many thousands of rounds without a failure. When it has needed new guns springs, or a magazine has failed, it has been at a high round count, demonstrating reliability. But then you read that the authorities on personal defense say you should never carry a modified gun for personal defense.

The most dangerous places are outside the home. Inside the home, we have barriers including outer doors, glass, and hard interior doors. Hopefully, the family has your back, and you have a plan. If not, you have more problems than I can address. Illegal narcotics, and the pharmaceutical industry’s greed-fed opioid epidemic, turn many against their fellows, and the family is the first victim—just so you will not be surprised. My home is modest, and I have genuine affection for my neighbors. I am lucky. My first line of defense is

October 31 is one of the most anticipated nights of the year for many kids. Thoughts of candy, getting to stay out late, parties at school, and a chance to be a superhero for a night are all innocent thoughts in a child’s mind. However, for adults we see the sinister side behind all the sugary treats and silly scares.

There have been many books written on shooting from Hit the White Part by my friend Massad Ayoob to Paul Weston’s book on combat shooting for police and Ed McGivern’s Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting. Some are dated and while Chic Gaylord’s Handgunner’s Guide is worth a look, the gear is outmoded. All are worth a read. Anything by Jeff Cooper and his able student Gabriel Suarez, is worth the money.

We have all watched a movie, and most likely felt at least a touch of anxiety for the innocent victim, as the bad guy breaks into an occupied home. It is not hard to put yourself in the victim’s shoes. While the comment section on an article like this is often filled with bravado, in reality, your shorts might end up filled with something not as sweet smelling or quite as likely to impress or intimidate the would-be burglar.

There are plenty of amazing guns out there. However, have you ever wondered what people are actually buying? It may, or may not, surprise you that not everyone buys a $2,000 fully decked out Knights Armament AR-15. Our most common sellers are usually home defense shotguns, semi automatic .22s, and .380 pistols. I pulled our sales data from the last six months and made an interesting discovery.

The most common question presented to trainers, writers, and the family ‘gun person’ is, “Which handgun should I purchase for personal defense?” The bottom line is dependent upon the shooter and how much or how little time, effort, and training will go into the final choice. There are many firearms that are well suited to personal defense. But the student differs mentally and physically, and so should the choices each individual makes. The first step is individual research and study.

The .223 self-loader does not have to be an AR-15. There are some who like the classic handling of a wooden dog and semi-pistol grip. Do not put down anyone and do not get into a debate, as long as the choice works for them. As for myself, I obtained a Ruger Mini-14 as soon as possible after its introduction. I found the Mini-14 an excellent choice for personal defense, police work, and predator calling.